On January 11, 2013 the City of Oakland experienced a devastating four homicides within the span of six hours. This morning, Police Chief Howard Jordan, Mayor Jean Quan, City Administrator Deanna Santana, Council Member Pat Kernighan, Council Member Noel Gallo and Mrs. Lorrain Taylor, who heads “1000 Mothers Against Violence,” stood together against this recent spate of violence. more »

The City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Jenna M. Whitman as a new Commissioner on its seven-member board. Ms. Whitman is an attorney with the Alameda County Superior Court, where she advises judges on law and motion matters in civil litigation. She is a graduate of Yale College and received her law degree from Georgetown University. more »

In conjunction with Oakland Restaurant Week, the City of Oakland’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development is sponsoring a lively panel discussion on Oakland’s food and beverage history featuring some of its most successful entrepreneurs on Friday, January 18, from 3 - 5 p.m. at Oakland City Hall. Free and open to the public, the discussion will center on Oakland’s role in California agribusiness and its evolution in food processing and specialty food production. more »

On Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 11:46 PM, a male and female victim reported
that as they left an establishment in the 2800 block of Ettie Street, they were
approached by two strangers who were both armed with handguns. The suspects
reportedly hit the male knocking him to the ground, where he lay unconscious.
Both suspects robbed the victims of their personal property. The suspects then
sexually assaulted the female victim. After the sexual assault, the suspects fled the
scene on foot. more »

On December 21, 2012, at 8:30 AM, Oakland Officers were conducting crime
prevention patrol in the 1900 block of Pleasant Valley Road, when they were
flagged down by a victim who reported he had just been robbed of his iPhone. The
victim provided a description of the suspect and direction the suspect fled with the
loss. more »

The newly elected and re-elected Oakland City Councilmembers, City Attorney and directors of the Oakland Board of Education were sworn in today in a ceremony that began at 11 a.m. in Oakland City Hall. more »

This morning marked the Annual Oakland Police Department “Motor Santa” Operation.
Approximately 50 families with children were met by Santa (riding a police motorcycle rather than the usual sleigh) along the streets of Oakland during the morning hours. Smiles and good cheer were had by all, and toys were given to children aged 12 and below. Santa’s route took him along City streets from East Oakland to Children’s Hospital where children were delighted and surprised by his “presence.” more »

Today the Oakland City Auditor released an audit on the City of Oakland’s parking ticket management. The audit noted that the City’s new ticket management system and reorganization of the Parking Division have resulted in dramatic improvements to parking operations and how the City manages parking tickets. The audit covered fiscal year 2010-11, so the findings do not reflect current parking ticket processes and procedures. The new city administration and parking management team is committed to continued streamlining of operations, achieving efficiencies in the parking program, and improving customer service for Oakland’s residents, businesses, and visitors. more »

The City of Oakland administrative offices will be closed from Monday, December 24 through Tuesday, January 1, for a combination of City holidays and business closure days as a result of budget cutbacks. While the City’s administrative employees are out of the office, if a situation arises that requires more staffing, the City has a plan in place to call in additional resources. Police, fire and emergency services are not affected during the holidays or business closures. more »

Oakland, CA —On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the Alameda County District
Attorney’s Office charged Diantay Powell, 18, with two counts of murder with the
special circumstance that it was a multiple killing in connection with the homicides
on November 25, 2012 of Bobbie Sartain, 16, and Raquel Gerstel, 15. more »